What to Ask Your Wedding Videographer

November 21, 2017

No one should expect to hire a professional to film their wedding without having a clear idea about what it is they’re getting. As a specialist wedding videographer based in Manchester, I understand and appreciate that when it comes to your wedding, you want to be as sure as you can be, that all will be well on the day.

Here, then, are examples of the kinds of questions you should be asking before booking your wedding videographer.

When Are You Available?

Clearly, you need to know if you can book your videographer’s services on the day you require. This is the sort of thing that does require planning, especially if you’re getting married in the spring or summer.

I do get booked up well in advance, but always ask the question, because you never know…

Are You a Full-time Wedding Videographer?

Is your filmmaker a full-time professional, or someone who does it as a side-line on weekends? I’m not saying you won’t get a good film from a part-timer, but in terms of experience and commitment, someone dedicated to the task full-time is the best bet.

I can’t stress enough that wedding videography is a specialist, film-making discipline.

Will You be Doing the Filming?

Is the person you’re talking to going to be the one who shows up on the day? This is vital: you want absolute confidence in your videographer, and their ability to deliver the creative vision they have for your wedding.

Some videographers will use a second camera and operator, but it’s important that they remain in control of the whole thing.

What Parts of the Wedding Will You Film?

Depending on who you choose, many of us offer a choice of packages. These will typically include the ceremony (providing the venue has given you permission to film), and the celebration. The bride prep is usually an add-on option, as is an evening reception.

In the end, it’s all about telling the story of your wedding, and what will be crucial to this narrative.

Always meet your videographer in advance to discuss your requirements, so you know you’ll get a film including what you want from your wedding day.

This should also make it clear whether there are additional charges for staying late, or for travelling further afield to the wedding location.

What Style Will the Film Be?

Will the wedding film be cinematic, or more documentary-like? How will you use music, and what music can, or will, you use? Also, how long will the finished film be?

These are all important, because you want the film to capture the essence of your wedding, but with that special, extra quality which will make you, and others, want to watch it.

A versatile videographer will tell your story in an individual way which utterly captures the mood of the day for you to relive again and again.

You should expect the filmmaker to retain creative control, while interpreting your requirements within the discipline of a professional wedding film.

Can You Work with a Wedding Photographer?

A sound, wedding filmmaking professional will know how best to co-ordinate with a wedding photographer, so that each one captures essential elements without duplication and, crucially, without getting in one another’s way.

It’s not a case of one or the other: choose both, to get two unique perspectives of your wedding for you to cherish in the future.

How Soon Will it be Ready, and in What Format?

Obviously, creative considerations aside, you don’t want to have to wait ages for your completed film. People like to share this content with others soon after the wedding, especially if there are people who couldn’t make the day itself.

Your wedding videographer should clearly let you know how long they’ll take to edit the film so that it’s ready for you.

Also, you want to know how you’ll get it: will it be as a DVD or a USB stick, or online for downloading? Will the film be HD, or even 4K.

Be clear in advance what quality you should expect your finished wedding film to be.

What NOT to Ask

There are certain things you shouldn’t ask, such as how many videos they’ll be shooting that day. This is because a professional videographer will only be shooting one wedding on any single day – any more than this and they won’t be doing a thorough, professional, creative job.

Resist asking technical questions about kit, camera size etc – all you need to know is that your wedding videographer won’t get in the way, but will be on hand to capture key moments and a full sense of narrative flow on the day.

And no, they won’t be making the film available on VHS and it will be filmed in HD.

In Love Wedding Films

Hi, I’m Paul, a Manchester-based wedding videographer, filming weddings in Manchester, Lancashire and across the North West. Contact me about your wedding plans, and let me help you to relive your unique wedding memories on film.

You might also like

Manchester Wedding Videography

I tell love stories on film, making your wedding that much more memorable, so that you can relive your wedding day and share your love. I cover Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and the North West but can work further afield on request, including destination weddings abroad.